The US is putting anti-ship and air-defense missiles on a Japanese island just 110 km from Taiwan — a clear warning to China and a sign both sides expect a fight over Taiwan is possible.

• US Marines will bring two new missile systems to Yonaguni Island: one that sinks ships, one that shoots down drones and aircraft.
• The move is part of the US-Japan "Keen Sword" exercise running October 19-29.
• The island sits next to the main sea routes into Taiwan, so missiles there could badly disrupt a Chinese naval push.
• The ship-killing missiles reach roughly 185 km — enough to cover the waters northeast of Taiwan, though not the whole Taiwan Strait.
• The Marines are shifting away from tanks and beach landings toward small, mobile missile teams scattered across the Pacific.

Outlook: China will likely protest and step up its own naval activity near the island, which it has been circling more often since its 2022 drills around Taiwan.